Changes visible on Carteret General campus as expansion project begins

By JANNETTE PIPPIN - Daily News Staff

Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 12:50 PM.

MOREHEAD CITY — As a major expansion project gets under way at Carteret General Hospital, there are a few changes for patients and visitors to keep in mind as construction takes place.

Preparations have begun for a $53 million construction project that will add 112,000 square feet of space to the hospital on the 35th Street side of the Morehead City campus. The project will include a new main entrance for the hospital and add two floors over the emergency department to create a new three-story Specialty Pavilion.

The new additions and renovations will bring upgrades and improvements to campus, including a new cancer center, but hospital officials said “preparing for a healthier tomorrow” will mean a few changes as construction work takes up the east part of campus.

Hospital spokeswoman Michelle Lee said several steps have been taken to alleviate parking issues. Patients and visitors should use the main entrance on U.S. 70, known locally as Arendell Street. Emergency department patients and inpatient admissions will have access to the Emergency Department from 35th Street, but parking will be limited.

Overflow parking areas have been set up for visitor and employee parking at the Arendell Street entrance.

“Pretty much all of our traffic is now coming through the Arendell Street entrance,” Lee said.

In addition to the parking changes, outpatient laboratory and radiology services have moved to the Carteret General Hospital Imaging Center at 3402 Arendell St.

MOREHEAD CITY — As a major expansion project gets under way at Carteret General Hospital, there are a few changes for patients and visitors to keep in mind as construction takes place.

Preparations have begun for a $53 million construction project that will add 112,000 square feet of space to the hospital on the 35th Street side of the Morehead City campus. The project will include a new main entrance for the hospital and add two floors over the emergency department to create a new three-story Specialty Pavilion.

The new additions and renovations will bring upgrades and improvements to campus, including a new cancer center, but hospital officials said “preparing for a healthier tomorrow” will mean a few changes as construction work takes up the east part of campus.

Hospital spokeswoman Michelle Lee said several steps have been taken to alleviate parking issues. Patients and visitors should use the main entrance on U.S. 70, known locally as Arendell Street. Emergency department patients and inpatient admissions will have access to the Emergency Department from 35th Street, but parking will be limited.

Overflow parking areas have been set up for visitor and employee parking at the Arendell Street entrance.

“Pretty much all of our traffic is now coming through the Arendell Street entrance,” Lee said.

In addition to the parking changes, outpatient laboratory and radiology services have moved to the Carteret General Hospital Imaging Center at 3402 Arendell St.

As the first signs of construction appear, the hospital is preparing to celebrate the official start of construction.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Specialty Pavilion has been scheduled for March 21 at 2 p.m. on the lawn at the Arendell Street side of campus.

In addition, the expansion plans include space for 70 private inpatient rooms with showers in critical care, progressive care and postpartum areas. Renovations and upgrades will improve surgical and endoscopy services and the hospital will be adding services such as inpatient dialysis and cardiac catheterization.

Construction updates and parking information can be viewed online at the hospital’s website at Carteretgeneral.com.